Just at this moment a distinct knocking was heard at the little door at the foot of the staircase.
Alice screamed.
I held my breath.
The knocking was repeated.
"Who is there?" said Mrs. Hawkins, going to the head of the stairs.
No answer; but the knocking was repeated; and then a frightened, plaintive voice, crying:
"Ole mist'ess—ole mist'ess—oh! do, for the Lord sake, let me in, chile! the hair's almos' turn gray on my head."
"Is that you, Cassy?"
"Yes, honey—yes, what the ghoses has left o' me," replied the poor creature, in a dying voice.
Grandmother went down the stairs and opened the door at the foot, and Cassy came tumbling up into the room after her. She was absolutely ashen gray with terror, and her limbs shook so that she could scarcely stand.